Over the last few years, a lot of fresh faces have been emerging in the movie industry, while the older stars are still keeping their A games. These actresses are hot, sexy and young. And they are gradually taking the centre stage with their acting skills. They are the faces rocking some of the most talked about movies and TV series in Nollywood. VIVIAN ONUORAH profiles this crop of hot and wave making stars.
MARY LAZARUS
Talented screen star, Mary Lazarus is no new name in the Nigerian movie industry, as her pretty face has graced a lot of movie projects and TV series. The tall and delectable young actress is among the most sought after young stars rocking the entertainment scene with her admirable acting skills. Her long list of movies keeps growing by the day. She has won and been nominated for several awards.
OMAWUNMI DADA
Vivacious Omawunmi is a very intelligent actress who is also passion driven. The ebony beauty hails from Ogun State, Nigeria. She is an Actor/Presenter and Voice Over Artist. She is a graduate of Creative Arts from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She has starred in Tales of Love, Moremi, The Antique, Casino, Tales of Eve, Married To The Game, Tinsel, Ebony Life TV series Best Friends and several others.
ADESUWA ETOMI
This light skinned beauty is the hottest bride in Nollywood, as she is one talented act a lot of top Nollywood film makers always want to have on their sets. Petite Adesua came on board few years ago has ascended the ladder of fame with her acting prowess. She has featured in several movies from Knocking on Heavens Door, Brave, London Life Lagos Living, Shattered and several others. She spent some of her formative years abroad where she also schooled and that explains the unique aura that surrounds her personality. She studied Physical theatre, Musical Theatre and Performing Arts at the City College, Coventry, United Kingdom and Drama and Performance at the University of Wolverhampton before she returned back to Nigeria in 2012. The Imo State born actress had a brief stint with acting and theatre in UK before she stormed Nollywood.
KIKI OMEILI
Beauty with talents best describes this Medical Doctor turned actress, one of a kind in Nollywood. Kiki bagged a degree in Medicine from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos and thereafter decided to follow her passion for acting and TV presenting. She hosted the dance reality show dance 234 which aired on Africa Magic World. She also played a lead role in the much publicized movie “Married But Living Single”. Other jobs to her credit include Behind The Smile, The Valley Between, Gidi Culture, A Mother’s Fight, Nesrea’s Watch, Footprints, Lekki Wives and several others. However, her role in the much talked about series shot her into limelight.
EVE ESIN
Talented actress, Eve Esin who hails from Oron L.G.A, Akwa Ibom State, Southern Part of Nigeria, is one of the hottest faces rocking the movie industry. She studied Theatre Arts in University of Calabar.
MICHEL DEDE
Not until she embraced her passion for acting, amiable actress cum TV presenter Michelle Dede has always been a very prominent figure in the entertainment industry, though as a presenter ever she returned to Nigeria few years back. Born in Germany, Michelle holds a Post Graduate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing, Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Marketing. She made her first major appearance on TV when she co-hosted the first Nigerian Big Brother Reality show alongside IK Osakioduwa.The well-travelled daughter of a diplomatic made her debut in acting with her spectacular role in the highly acclaimed Ebony life TV drama Desperate Housewives, with several nominations to her credit.
OVIRE PEGGY
Light skinned and tall beauty, Ovire Peggy is a very popular face in the movie industry, as her looks and amiable nature has earned her a good place in Nollywood, irrespective of her short debut. The Delta State born ex beauty queen, who won the Miss Galaxy International Nigeria crown 8 years ago, delved into in 2012 and has featured in several movies till date. She won the City People Awards for Most Promising Actress and has several other awards in her kitty.
MAKIDA MOKA
She came into limelight as a model, after she won the Face of Sleek pageant and has spread her wings into acting. A half Nigerian half Carribean, the model turned actress has featured in quite a good number of movies and TV series till date. Among them are Casino, Code Of Silence, e.t.c
LINDA EJIOFOR
She is the pretty Tinsel star that played the lead role in the multiple award winning movie The Meeting produced by Audrey Silva production outfit owned by star actress Rita Dominic and her management. She has also featured in several other movies till dates and won a couple of awards.
ISAAC NSIKAN
Talented actress, Isaac Nsikan stormed the movie industry as a producer cum actress. Nsikan, who studied Petroleum Engineering at River State University of Science and Technology, Port-Harcourt, was shot to limelight with her movie The Banker and since her entrance, she been very active on the movie scene.
SARAH OFILI
Delta State born Blondie Sarah Ofili has also made her debut in Nollywood and currently stars in Africa Magic’s comedy series Do Good. The pretty half caste born of a Nigerian Father and a Hungarian Mother became popular after her controversial romance with music star Ikechukwu. According to her; she is a model, designer, beauty blogger and radio/TV host.
DOLAPO ONI
Newly married TV star, Dolapo Oni also makes this list. Although she is more popular as a Media Personality as she began her TV Career in 2010, as the Lead Anchor on the Mnet show ’53 Extra’. And currently from there she was nominated amongst hundreds of contestants as one of the two chosen Co Hosts an Ebony Life TV show. She started her acting career in Uk before she returned to Nigeria but has also featured in some stage and drama series in Nigeria like For Colored Girls, ‘Jacob’s Cross,’ and most recently the much talked about series Desperate House Wives Africa.
INIDIMA OKOJIE
She is another fast rising actress rocking the movie industry.
TAMARA ETEIMO
Talented actress, Tamara Eteimo was shot into limelight after she won the Next Movie Star Reality show. She has featured in a couple of movies and also produced her first movie.
JENNIFER OGUZIE
Fast rising actress, Jennifer Akudo Oguzie, came on the scene few years ago and she is doing well already. In she has featured in movies like The Twist, Last Flight To Abuja among others.
PRECIOUS CHIKWENDU
Precious Chikwendu shot to limelight as a model cum beauty queen and the Abuja based big babe has delved into movies. She starred in multiple award winning director cum producer Obi Emelonye’s Love Struck airing on Africa Magic.
LINDA OSIFO
Edo State born, Linda Osifo is another rising star in Nollywood. She returned to Nigeria few years ago and has become a popular act in Nollywood.
OMOTU BISSONG
This ex-Beauty queen plays a major role in the popular TV series Desperate Housewives. An actress, model, she is one of the new talented acts rocking TV series.
ADUNNI ADE
Born in Queens, New York to a Nigerian father and American/German mother, Adunni Ade is one bold and daring actress rocking Nollywood. Asides her mind-blowing fashion sense, she is also a good actress. She relocated to Nigeria 2 years ago and is fast becoming a popular face in Nollywood, featuring in Date Gone Bad, You & I among others.
NAZO EKEZIE
Ebony skinned and curvy, Nazo Ekezie is one of the pretty fast-rising stars in Nollywood, especially in many top grossing movies produced in the East. The tall and sexy babe is also a producer and has featured in several movies.
ISIOFIA STEPHANIE
This light skinned and slim beauty played a role in the comedy series Do Good, acting alongside star actress Kate Henshaw. She is also one of the new rising acts to watch out for in Nollywood.
BEVERLY OSU
She was shot to limelight after she participated in the Big Brother Africa reality show where she represented Nigeria. Since then, she has embraced acting and featured in Gidi, Jenifa’s Diary and few others.
OKAWA SHAZNAY
Cameroonian actress, Okawa Shanzay is one of the new kids on the bloc. Her striking resemblance with Ghana star actress Jackie Appiah can’t be ignored as well. She is pretty, talented and flaunts a very curvaceous physique. She made her entry in Nollywood with her role in Frank Raja’s movie Iyore, where she acted alongside star actress Rita Dominic.
LALA AKINDOJU
Talented actress, Lala Akindoju has been on the scene for quite a while and has featured in a couple of movies as well. She is always a popular face at every major movie gathering. She played a role in Tunde Kelani’s movie Dazzling Mirage.
OGE INDIANA
This light skinned beauty is an actress, model and a dancer. She has featured in movies like The Antique where she played the lead character among other movies.
MEG OTANWA
Armed with a BA in English language from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Masters in Human Resource Management from TIME University, Tunisia and Business School at University Jean Moulin, Lyon, France, this banker turned actress is one of the fast rising faces in Nollywood. The Benue State born ebony beauty has featured in movies like I‘ll Take My Chances, Coffee Shop and several others.
SOMKELE IDHALAMA
Somkele Idhalama came into prominence as a supporting actress on NdaniTV’s hit web series Gidi Up, where she acted the role of Yvonne, the Fashion Designer and hasn’t looked back since her arrival. She is happily married and a mother of one.
OREKA GODIS
Kogi State born Oreka God is made her name as a radio presenter but is gradually laying her foundation in movies. She has featured in a couple of movies as well. She spent most of her formative years abroad where she also schooled before returning to Nigeria.
IJEOMA AGU
Happily married mother of one, Ijeoma Agu is a talented actress who came into the movie scene few years ago with her role in HoodRush. She has also featured in several other movies and ranks as one of the through bred actresses in Nollywood.
NKIRU UMEH
Light skinned beauty Nkiru Umeh popularly called Angel Nikky, the name of her beauty outfit, stormed the industry few years back and is sure doing great featuring in a good number of movies.
BHAIRA MCWIZU
Eberechukwu Nwizu better known as Bhaira Mcwizu or Bayray McNwizu is a Nigerian actress. She came to the limelight after winning the third Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality show and has featured in countless number of movies till date.
YVONNE JEGEDE
Newly married actress Yvonne Jegede also makes the list. The talented star who rose to prominence after being featured in the Tuface music video African Queen has featured in several movies and still counting. She recently got married to late veteran actress Bukky Ajayi’s son. She also featured in the hit movie titled Okafor’s Law produced by Omoni Oboli.
SHIRLEY IGWE
Pretty actress, Shirley Igwe is a model and actress. She hit limelight after she was made face of Delta Soap. The former Principal Protocol Officer to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State is one of the fresh faces on the movie scene.
SYLVIA EDEM
Talented actress cum producer Sylvia Edem has starred in a good number of movie and she is currently carving a niche for herself in the movie industry.
CHINENYE UYANNA
Pretty actress, Chinenye Uyanna is one of the fast rising stars in Nollywood.. The young actress has featured in several movies till date.
LILIAN AFEGBAI
Ex-BBA housemate, Lilian is an actor, model presenter and has also featured in Mnet Series Tinsel. She launched into movies after her exit from the BBA show and has gained prominence on the movie scene.
REGINA DANIELS
Regina Daniels is a name to reckon with in the movie industry. The teenage, talented and thrilling actress has been in the movie industry since childhood but still remains the hottest sensation in the industry. Her career waxes stronger with her growth and she sure competes with the major names in the industry with her acting ingenuity .
BELINDA EFFAH
Belinda Effah is a Nigerian actress and presenter. Effah was born in Cross River State, a coastal state in South-Eastern Nigeria. She furthered her studies at the University of Calabar, majoring in Genetics and Bio-Technology. She made her first television debut in the 2005 TV series Shallow Waters. Afterwards, she took a break from the series to feature in the reality show Next Movie Star. She has featured in a good number of movies.
JUDITH AUDU
Judith Emike Audu-Foght, professionally known as Judith Audu is a Nigerian film and television actress, presenter, model, blogger and movie producer, renowned for her role as Mofe in the Nigerian television series Emerald alongside Joseph Benjamin, Carol King, Lilian Esoro and Femi Branch. Audu obtained a B.A in French from the University of Lagos. After her National Youth Service (NYSC) in Kebbi State in 2006/2007, She went back to the University of Lagos and applied for master’s degree course in Public and International Affairs from 2008 to 2010, where she graduated with a degree in Masters of Public and International Affairs (MPIA). After completing her master’s degree program, Audu attended an audition for a role in the television drama, Tinsel and got the role of a Gynaecologist, she has since been part of several Television series like Emerald, Seekers, Burning Spears, Tinsel, Huzzel, 4 Walls, Comfort Zone, Rush, Funtime, Life is Beautiful, Case File, House Apart and Queens Drive. She has also featured in several movies and produced hers as well.
ESTHER AUDU
Abuja based actress Esther Audu also makes the list. The Business Management graduate of the University of Jos, Plateau is one of the faces rocking the movie industry.
DESTINY ETIKO
Destiny Etiko is a Nollywood actress who hails from Udi, Enugu State, Nigeria. She grew up in Enugu where she had her primary and secondary education before moving to Anambra for her tertiary education and she graduated in 2012. She featured in the movie “Idemili” in year 2012, the movie was released in 2014 and it won her an award at the city people awards 2016.
LISA OMORODION
Uk born Nigerian actress Lisa henry Omorodion attended Corona Primary School, Victoria Island, Atlantic Hall Secondary School and then the University of Lagos, where she studied Economics. She made her debut in the industry with her first movie, “First Cut,” directed by Chico Ejiro.
IVIE OKUJAIYE
Ivie Okujaye (born 16 May 1987) is a Nigerian actress, producer, scriptwriter, dancer, singer and activist. In 2009 she participated and won the Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality TV show. She is sometimes called little Genevieve because she resembles actress Genevieve Nnaji. She attended Queen’s College, Lagos before studying Economics at University of Abuja. The happily married actress has been performing on stage years before her Nollywood debut. According to her, featuring in the Amstel Malta Box Office launched her career and paved the way for her first feature Alero Symphony. Despite her new role as a mother, she is rocking the movie scene.
NANCY ISIME
Sexy TV presenter, Nancy Isime is one of the hot faces rocking the movie scene. She is a Nigerian actress, model and media personality. In 2009 she won the Miss Valentine International beauty pageant, and began a career as an actress in the TV series Echoes in 2011
ONYI ALEX
Light skinned actress cum producer Onyi Alex is also one of the faces rocking the movie scene.
CHIAMAKA NWOKEUKWU
Pretty and humble actress, Chiamaka Nwokeukwu is one of the most loved stars in the industry. The light skinned beauty has a natural charm that endears her to movie lovers. She has been in the industry for a while but still remains one of the fresh faces rocking the scene.
NZUBE ONYIA
Talented actress, Nzube Onyia hails from Abia State.The light skinned beauty is one of the popular faces in the movie industry.
CHRISTABEL EGBENYA
Beautiful and sexy actress, Christabel Egbenya hails from Edo-State. The Nollywood actress, has featured in many films since she came into the movie industry.
MATILDA LAMBERT
Fast rising actress, Matilda Lambert is one of fast rising stars in Nollywood. The talented act is also a producer.
CHIZZY ALICHI
Talented actress, Chizzy Alichi whose real name is Chigozie Alichi was born on December 23. She is an actress in the Nollywood movie industry and hails from Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Dark-complexioned Chigozie Alichi, popularly known as Chizzy, is an up-and-coming Enugu-State-based Nollywood actress. She’s an Agricultural Engineering Graduate at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.
